Bible Reading: Exodus 1,2,3; Matthew 14:1-18
“When Jesus heard of it, He departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities” Matthew 14:13 (KJV).
Sometime ago, a friend drew my attention to things men of God pass through that majority of people did not even know, and yet they continue as if all is so smooth. They neither complain nor lose their temper, but smile through it all. I wonder how they manage to do this until I recalled that God who called them always strengthens them.
One evening after service, I waited to see a pastor for a task he wanted me carry out for him and I observed the people around him. From request for prayer for healing to asking for financial assistance for businesses and to paying of rents and feeding, yet, not a single one of them asked the Pastor how he is doing. I waited for two hours after that service, and it was a day we fasted. None remembered to ask what he will eat! He will still stay up at night to pray for all of us.
Jesus experienced the same. He has just lost somebody dear to Him, His forerunner by name John, and retreated to a quiet place to be alone, yet crowds came to meet him with their issues. Matthew 14:14 (KJV) says, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” We serve a compassionate God (Psalm 116:5), no wonder Jesus set aside his personal issues to attend to the multitude.
When next you come across any man of God you know, please be nice by first asking how he is doing. I assure you he is doing well by the help and backing of God, but he will appreciate your asking with at least a smile and a blessing right there. Show you too care for him as he does you. Although the divine is heavily at work in them they are humans too; they feel the pain we feel, they feel hunger too, etc.
Action Plan: Take out time today to pray for the men of God around you, and your leaders in Church. Ask for more grace and strength from God for them in all they do.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu